NL2003895C2

NL2003895C2 - Self-installable system for management and control of energy consumption.

Info

Publication number: NL2003895C2
Application number: NL2003895A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Rokus Hendrik Johannes Dalen
Original assignee: Supergroen V O F
Priority date: 2009-12-02
Filing date: 2009-12-02
Publication date: 2011-06-06

Description

SELF-INSTALLABLE SYSTEM FOR MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF ENERGY

CONSUMPTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

5 Currently, various smart metering products and systems are available that could potentially be used as the basis for allowing residential or commercial energy consumers to monitor their energy usage and the associated incurred costs, thus providing the information to reduce his energy bill. In the prior art, application and deployment of such smart meters however has the following important disadvantages: 10 a. Consumer themselves cannot install a smart meter. Therefore, the installation of smart meters requires vast resources in terms of time, personnel and related costs.

b. The consumer does not have immediate feedback on his current energy usage. Thus, he does not have the possibility to immediately take corrective action c. The smart meters of the prior art do not offer a means of controlling the energy 15 usage.

d. The smart metering products of the prior art require a dedicated communications facility that must be installed at the consumers’ premises to interact with the utility company’s back-office system that acquires the metering data.

e. The reading of the energy meter is performed by utility company or an affiliated 20 entity, who can deduct the consumer’s life pattern from the acquired metering data. This potentially leads to a violation of the consumer’s privacy rights.

f. Most smart metering products of the prior art are vulnerable to eavesdropping and malicious actions.

g. The smart metering products of the prior art offer no means of adapting / 25 customizing the functionality to address the consumer’s specific energy management needs.

The first item inhibits the swift deployment of any smart metering system and by definition makes such a deployment very costly. The second and third items make the smart meter ineffective for creating energy awareness with consumers and for allowing them to actively 30 control their energy usage. The fourth item increases the initial and operational costs for installing a smart meter. The fifth and sixth items inhibit the public and political acceptance of smart meters, because of justified security and safety concerns.

To avoid the difficulties in the prior art, it would be desirable to provide an energy metering 35 and management solution that: 2 a. a consumer can install himself (much like broadband modems), b. provides immediate feedback on the actual energy usage, c. makes use of the consumer’s communication facilities, d. that a allows a consumer complete control of acquired metering data, 5 e. uses encrypted communication, f. allows automatic reporting of metering data to utility companies with the consumer’s consent.

g. allows installation of applications or applets to perform custom energy management and control functions.

10

Nevertheless, the utility companies have much benefit by having an automated meter reading modality that conveys metering data at regular (e.g. monthly) intervals. Thus, a need for smart meters does exist, but primarily in the interest of the utility company. The benefits of the smart meters of the prior art are of little interest to consumers. The present 15 invention duly serves the interest of utility companies, as well as consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and system devices for managing and controlling utility consumption (e.g. water, gas, electricity, oil) in a secure manner, e.g. in residential or 20 commercial environments.

The invention further relates to a meter reading module (MRM) that can be installed onto a utility meter (e.g. gas, water, electricity, heating, oil) by persons not skilled in the art of meter installations and that collects consumption data from said meter onto which said 25 MRM is installed.

The invention further relates to a Central System Controller (CSC) that acquires the consumption data collected by said MRM and that stores (logs) said data in the nonvolatile database memory of said controller unit. Said controller unit apparatus can be 30 installed by a person not skilled in the art of electrical installations. The invention further relates to a method by which said CSC collects energy metering data from gas, water and heat meters.

3

The invention further relates to an interactive user interface (IUI) device that visually presents utility consumption information and that accepts user input to configure and control the utility management functions of said apparatuses.

5 The invention further relates to a Smart Socket Controller (SSC) that is inserted into the power supply connection of one or more electrical devices. Said socket apparatus independently measures and controls the energy supplied to said electrical devices and forwards the measurement results to said CSC. Said intelligent socket apparatus can be installed by a person not skilled in the art of electrical installations.

10

The invention further relates to a plurality of function-specific control and/or monitoring modules (FSCMMs).

The invention further relates to a sensor apparatus that measures the ambient conditions - 15 such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, light radiation, air quality - of an environment that are relevant for controlling the utility (e.g. electricity, water, gas) consumed in said environment. Said sensor apparatus forwards the measurement results to said CSC.

20 The invention further relates to an intelligent motorized valve apparatus for regulating the influx of hot water into a radiator of a central heating system. Said valve apparatus receives the ambient temperature from said sensor apparatus through said controller unit apparatus and drives the valve to regulate the ambient temperature to a level set by said controller unit apparatus.

25

The invention further relates to a digital energy control apparatus that can be attached to electrical devices and that interacts with said device through a digital communication interface that is compliant with the interfacing capability of said CSC.

30 The invention further relates to a computer program and communications interface apparatus, hosted by a personal computer, that serves as user interface for interpreting and presenting the utility consumption information measured and collected by the apparatuses of the present invention from said controller unit apparatus through said communications interface apparatus. Furthermore, said computer program accepts user 4 input to configure and control the utility management functions of said apparatuses of the present invention.

The invention further relates to a data communication apparatus that is equipped with 5 appropriate Internet-communication interfaces for providing access to the IUI by devices such as cell phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs) to the apparatus functions of the present invention or to serve as Internet-gateway for said CSC.

The invention further relates to a method and client-server computer programs for sending 10 metering data to a utility company.

The invention further relates to a method and software architecture for installing applications into the apparatuses of the present invention. Said applications combine the measurement and control functions of said apparatuses to provide a customized utility 15 management facility.

One embodiment of the invention is a system for monitoring and optionally controlling utility consumption in a location, comprising: - at least one meter reading module (MRM) adapted to interface with a utility meter, which 20 MRM collects consumption data from said meter, - a central system controller (CSC) that acquires the consumption data collected by said MRM, - an interactive user interface (IUI) device that receives data from the CSC, and informs the user of his consumption using a display means.

25

Another embodiment of the invention is a system as described above, wherein the utility meter is an electricity, gas, water, or heating-consumption meter.

Another embodiment of the invention is a system as described above, further comprising 30 one or more Smart Socket Controllers (SSC) in data communication with the CSC, configured for insertion into the electrical power supply connection of an electrical apparatus, further configured to measure the energy consumed by said apparatus and optionally to control the supply of power to said connected electrical apparatus.

5

Another embodiment of the invention is a system as described above, wherein the IUI is configured to compare present consumption data to the historical data, to compare the cost of the utility usage to budgeted cost data, and or to project weekly, monthly yearly usage and costs.

5

Another embodiment of the invention is a system as described above, wherein the IUI is configured to alert the user when utility consumption exceeds a pre-defined value.

Another embodiment of the invention is a system as described above, further comprising 10 one or more Function-specific control and/or monitoring modules (FSCMM).

Another embodiment of the invention is a system as described above, further comprising on a data communication apparatus 70 configured to interface with the CSC, and to provide access remote access to the IUI.

15

Another embodiment of the invention is a computer program stored on a computer-readable storage medium, configured to - receive data from the MRM, - inform the user of his consumption by controlling the display functions of the IUI.

20

FIGURE LEGENDS

FIG. 1 A schematic illustration of an embodiment of a utility-monitoring/controlling system of the invention.

FIG. 2 A schematic illustration of another embodiment of a utility-monitoring/controlling 25 system of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a low-power method, platform and system for monitoring the usage of utility supplies at a residential or commercial location, and for controlling the 30 utility supplies per usage point - such as a wall outlet, electrical appliance, or heat source. In its preferred embodiment, the method, platform and system may together be referred to as the Low-power Intelligent Management of Energy (LIME) system.

The present invention concerns a system 100 as exemplified in FIGs. 1 and 2 for 35 monitoring and optionally controlling utility consumption in a location, comprising: 6 - at least one meter reading module (MRM, 2, 4, 6) adapted to interface with a utility meter, which MRM collects consumption data from said meter, - a central system controller (CSC, 20) that acquires the consumption data collected by said MRM, 5 - an interactive user interface (IUI, 40) device that receives information from the CSC, and informs the use of his consumption using a display means.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a meter reading module (MRM, 2, 4, 6) for collecting the usage data (e.g. electricity, gas, water) at the location at which said module 10 is installed. The MRM may obtain measurement data from any utility metering device (for example, for electricity, natural gas, oil, heat, etc) and possibly other utility supplies (e.g. water). The preferred embodiment of the device is referred to as Meter Read-out Unit (MRU). In its preferred embodiment, said device can be installed onto a compatible meter by a person not skilled in the art of meter installations. Data obtained from the MRM 15 (qualitative, quantitative, cost etc) characterize the utility supplies which are used at the usage points at the location. The MRM is configured to exchange data with the CSC (see below).

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a Central System Controller (CSC, 20) 20 for monitoring and/or controlling a number (e.g. selected, all relevant, all) of utility usage points at the location. Said monitoring and/or controlling actions can be of a varied type (e.g. switching on/off, controlling a fixed set temperature in a particular room). Such actions may be time-of-the-day dependent. The CSC receives the usage data from said MRM, preferably through a wireless communication interface and which controller device 25 stores said usage data in its non-volatile memory. In its preferred embodiment, the CSC is equipped with a wireless communication interface. Furthermore, it can be installed and brought into operation by merely switching the device on. The CSC is configured to exchange data with the MRM, and also with any SSC, Function-specific control and/or monitoring modules (FSCMM), or other device (see below).

30

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to an Interactive User Interface (IUI, 40) that visually presents the utility usage information at the system location. It may alerts the consumer when the utility usage deviates from the desired pattern. Said interactive display device may accept user input to configure and control the aforementioned system and 35 other devices that constitute the system. IUI may be configured for displaying the 7 dynamics of the utility usage, allowing the consumer at the location to take action. Also the IUI may also provide alerts, in the case actual usage exceeds planned/prescribed usage. The IUI may be implemented on a personal computer (PC) at the location, on a standalone IUI, or at using auxiliary display unit (e.g. a PDA). The IUI is configured to exchange 5 data with the CSC.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a Smart Socket Controller (SSC, 50) configured for insertion into the power supply connection of an electrical apparatus. In its preferred embodiment, the SSC measures the energy consumed by said connected 10 electrical apparatus and - according to configurable conditions - switch said the power supply to said connected electrical apparatus on and/or off.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program running on the IUI device such as a personal computer or stand-alone device, or on which interacts with the 15 CSC device through a wireless communication interface (which interface in its preferred embodiment is a USB-compatible device). Said computer program depicts and interprets the utility usage data received from the CSC device, and accepts user input to configure and control the aforementioned and other devices that constitute the system. The preferred embodiment of said computer program is referred to as a LIME User Interface 20 (LUI).

In a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to a method for conveying metering data acquired by the LIME system to a utility company.

25 In a seventh aspect, the present invention relates to a contactless method for exchanging encryption/decryption keys used for secure communication between two devices that are part of the LIME system.

In an eighth aspect, the present invention relates to a software architecture for the 30 definition of applications that logically combine the functions of one or more devices of the LIME system.

The present invention relates to a system, method and collection of devices (each consisting of hardware, firmware and software) for acquiring metering data at a 35 consumer’s location, and managing the utility usage through control functions.

8

Since the meter readings are accurate, and performed as an essential part of the functioning of the system, the system may report automatically the meter reading information to the supplying utility company. Such information may be conveyed via the 5 consumer’s personal computer and internet connection. Conversely, relevant information as to the utility company (tariffs, special messages) may be conveyed to the system of the present invention through the same computing device/internet connection.

Meter Reading Module (MRM) 10 The meter reading module is configured to interface with an existing meter or sensor to determine the level of utility consumption. Consumption of the utility supplied to the location is measured preferably using metering devices with a digital interface by Meter Read-out Unit (MRU) devices. Nowadays, electricity meters in Europe are generally equipped with so-called optical interfaces according to the IEC-61107 standard that allow 15 the acquisition of absolute metering data. Similar interfaces, usually based on the wired or wireless M-Bus (IEC-13757-2/3/4/5) standard, are available for gas, heat and water meters. In other regions, other standards apply, but the basic principles equally apply. In the case such a metering device is not available at the respective location, a pulse- or rotation-counting device could be used. Since such counting methods by definition only 20 allow the deduction of the actual meter reading through differential utility consumption measurements, this method is semi-accurate and hence error-prone. When accurate and reliable measurements are required, the old-fashioned meter is preferably exchanged by a meter with a suitable digital interface.

25 As long as the utility meter is equipped with a suitable interface, various types of utility consumptions can be measured using the MRM, e.g. for: (a) Electricity: using a generic electricity meter.

(b) Solar panels, wind energy: using an electricity meter that allows measurement of reverse currents.

30 (c) Natural gas: using a gas meter.

(d) Oil: using a level sensor placed in the oil storage tank and a flow sensor inserted into the oil supply line.

(e) Heat: using a heat metering device.

(f) Warm or cold tap water: using a water meter, possibly in combination with a 35 temperature sensor.

9

As a matter of principle, the system will be able to monitor all utility supplies flowing into or out of the location.

Central System Controller (CSC) 5 The relevant information emanating from the MRM is conveyed to the Central System Controller (CSC) that attaches time stamps to the sampled metering data. It will also trigger - when required - specific measurement functions. The communication between the CSC and the MRMs, CSCs and FSCMMs preferably take place using wireless connectivity, e.g. with the wireless M-Bus protocol. The CSC may be connected to a user-10 interface (Ul) implemented into a computing device. The computing device may be a personal computer having a CPU box (e.g. running Windows, Linux, Unix or Mac operating system) with an input means (e.g. keyboard, touch screen, mouse) and monitor (e.g. LCD screen). Alternatively, the computing device may be a dedicated stand-alone computer with a processor, an input means (e.g. keyboard, touch screen, mouse) and 15 monitor (e.g. LCD screen); the components of the standalone computer may be integrated into a single unit.

Interactive User Interface

Utility consumption data and the location of the consumption may be made available 20 through an interactive user interface (IUI). The IUI may provide statistical data, interpretation, predictions, cost-estimates, graphical data representations, all of which inform the user of his consumption. The IUI also provides control of the system. Said IUI may be implemented into a computing device. The computing device may be a personal computer having a CPU box (e.g. running Windows, Linux, Unix or Mac operating system) 25 with an input means (e.g. keyboard, touch screen, mouse) and display means (e.g. LCD screen). Alternatively, the computing device may be a dedicated stand-alone computer (stand-alone IUI) with a processor, an input means (e.g. keyboard, touch screen, mouse) and display means (e.g. LCD screen); the components of the standalone IUI may be integrated into a single unit. In either implementation, the IUI communicates with the CSC 30 through any means, including through a wireless connection.

Data presentation and user interaction

To allow the consumer to gain insight in his utility usage pattern, the IUI may be configured to, for example, 35 compare present consumption data to the historical data, 10 compare the cost of the utility usage to budgeted cost data project weekly, monthly yearly usage and costs.

The IUI enables the consumer to develop an understanding of the dynamics that govern the usage of a utility at the location.

5

The IUI may be configured to provide continuously updated information concerning consumption at the location. The IUI may be configured to receive relevant event data, and provide instantly, for instance, a visual alert indicator to inform the user that the cost of his utility consumption exceeds the planned (pre-defined) values. The relevant 10 information of the effect of the utility-controlling actions may also made visible on the dedicated display unit. The IUI may additionally display the relevant usage information continuously, which allows the consumer to interact with the management system.

The stand-alone IUI may continuously display such information and allow interactivity, 15 even when the personal computer is switched off. The stand-alone IUI may also house one or more alert signaling indicators. Furthermore, information that is of interest to the consumer can be presented on the IUI display, such as date, time, weather forecast, time of sunrise/sunset, outside temperature, agenda, anniversaries, etc. The IUI may take the form of a digital photoframe.

20

Since the relevant utility meter readings are available to the IUI, these metering readings can easily be conveyed to the respective utility companies at regular intervals, for example, via the internet or via a telephone line. In this way, the system acts as a smart meter, while avoiding the communication costs required for conventional smart metering 25 systems.

Smart Socket Controller (SSC)

Per-apparatus consumption of electrical energy may be measured using a Smart Socket Controller (SSC). The SSC continuously measures the energy drawn by a connected 30 electrical device and conveys this information to the CSC preferably using wireless communication. The CSC will attach a timestamp to each received energy consumption record.

11

Function-specific control and/or monitoring modules (FSCMM)

The CSC can control the operation of a plurality of devices, each interfaced with a function-specific control and/or monitoring module (FSCMM). The FSCMM interfaced to the device monitor its output or ambient conditions, and can control the device as well as.

5 The FSCMM is in data communication with the CSC, preferably using a wireless connection. Such specific modules include: (a) Room or home thermostats. The temperature in the home/room may be set (and optionally measured) as well as the time period in which the room/home is to be heated.

10 Also environmental conditions such as time of sunrise/sunset, outside temperature measured, specific weather conditions are taken into account. In the situation where various rooms in the home are heated at various temperatures during various time periods, such thermostat devices are installed in each room, and the temperature is monitored in each separate room.

15 (b) Wall outlets. To a number (or all) wall outlets, Smart Socket Controllers (SSCs) can be connected. Besides being able to measure the energy consumption of a connected electrical device, a SSC may be configured to switch the energy supply on or off. Thus, a SSC may e.g. measure the energy consumed through a particular outlet (washing machine, refrigerator, heating device, lighting devices) and/or control the periods during 20 which the energy is made available.

(c) Heating installation. A dedicated FSCMM can be connected to the heating device to monitor the proper functioning of the installation. An additional feature may be that an outside surveillance desk is automatically informed in the case the heating installation starts showing behavior that indicates that servicing may be required.

25 (d) Tap water. A FSCMM with a motorized valve can be connected to a specific tap, which provides water supply to specific items (garden, swimming pool).

(e) Oil tanks. In the case the heating installation uses oil, a FSCMM incorporating a level measurement sensor may be installed onto to the oil tank, and monitored and controlled by the CSC and the personal computer. In the case the oil tank must be filled, 30 automatically a message may be sent to the oil provider.

(f) Stand-by killer. A FSCMM device can be used to reduce or eliminate the energy consumption of idle devices, such as TVs, DVD players, cordless phones, etc. by switching a number of wall outlets accordingly with SSC devices.

All aforementioned devices are controlled and configured by the CSC, which has received 35 its configuration setting from the consumer’s personal computer.

12

Several of such devices are already available in the market, and can be adapted / interfaced to function within the presently described system.

5 Other modules

Other modules may interface with the CSC. These might include: (a) A sensor apparatus that measures the ambient conditions - such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, light radiation, air quality - of an environment that are relevant for controlling the utility (e.g. gas, electricity, oil) consumed in said environment.

10 Said sensor apparatus forwards the measurement results to said CSC.

(b) An intelligent motorized valve apparatus for regulating the influx of hot water into a radiator of a central heating system. Said valve apparatus receives the ambient temperature from said sensor apparatus through said CSC and drives the valve to 15 regulate the ambient temperature to a level set by said controller unit apparatus.

(c) The invention further relates to a digital energy control apparatus that can be attached to electrical devices and that interacts with said device through a digital communication interface that is compliant with the interfacing capability of said CSC.

20

Other aspects

The invention further relates to a computer program, hosted by a computing device (e.g. a personal computer), that serves as interactive user interface for interpreting and presenting the utility consumption information measured and collected by the module of 25 the present invention from said controller unit apparatus through a communications interface apparatus (see below). Furthermore, said computer program accepts user input to configure and control the energy management functions of said apparatuses of the present invention.

30 The invention further relates to a data communication apparatus (70, FIG. 2) that is equipped with appropriate Internet-communication interfaces for providing remote access to the IUI, for example, by devices such as cell phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs) to the apparatus functions of the present invention or to serve as Internet-gateway for said CSC.

35 13

The invention further relates to a method and client-server computer programs for sending metering data to a utility company.

The invention further relates to a method and software architecture for installing 5 applications into the apparatuses of the present invention. Said applications combine the measurement and control functions of said apparatuses to provide a customized energy management facility.

Claims

A system that records and manages the consumption of utility products at a location, and optionally controls the consumption, comprising: - at least one meter reading unit (MAE), adapted to be coupled to an energy meter, records the MRM and stores the consumption data from the meter in question, - a central system controller (CSC) that stores the consumption data recorded by the 10 MAE in a memory, and - an interactive "user interface" unit (IUI) that stores data from the CSC receives, and informs the consumer about the consumption data via a data display.

2. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the utility meter is an electricity, gas, water or heat consumption meter.

3. System as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising one or more "Smart Socket Controllers" (= SSC), which record consumption data and communicate with the CSC, and adapted to be inserted into the electrical power supply of an electrical device, and further adapted to measure the consumption of the device in question, and to control the energy consumption of the electrical device in question.

4. System as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the IUI is configured such that the current consumption data can be compared with consumption data from the past, that the monetary costs of the consumption of utilities can be compared with the budgeted costs, and / or that gives the option to extrapolate the weekly, monthly, or annual costs.

A system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the IUI is configured such that the consumer is alerted when the consumption of a utility exceeds a predetermined value.

A system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, which also comprises one or more function-specific measuring and / or control modules.

A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a data communication device designed to be coupled to the CSC and to provide remote access to the IUI.

A computer program, stored in a computer-readable memory, and configured such that data can be received from a meter reading unit (MRM) as defined in the preceding claims, the consumer being informed of his consumption by consulting the display functions using the interactive user interface (IUI), as defined in the preceding claims.